Minnesota High School Wins $10K Grant to Expand Ag Education

Investing in the Next Generation: Alexandria High School Awarded MAELC Grant to Expand Agricultural Learning

A $10,000 Boost for Hands-On Education

As conversations about food systems, sustainability, and agricultural literacy grow nationwide, one Minnesota high school is taking a meaningful step forward. Alexandria Area High School has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council (MAELC) to support its “Greenhouse Grow Lights” initiative—an improvement that will enhance student learning and bring agriculture to life in a hands-on, year-round environment.

The grant will fund new, upgraded lighting inside the school’s greenhouse, ensuring optimal conditions for plant and flower growth regardless of season or daylight limitations. For students, the project means more opportunities to study plant science, food production, and agricultural systems in a real-world setting.

Preparing Students to Understand the Food Chain

Sen. Torrey Westrom emphasized how foundational agricultural knowledge is for young people, not only in Minnesota but across the United States.

“Understanding where our food comes from is an important experience that every student should have the opportunity to learn about,” Westrom said. “Alexandria Area High School does a great job providing students with a strong agricultural foundation, and this grant will only expand the opportunities available to them.”

For many students, agriculture education creates a tangible link between classroom learning and the world they encounter daily—from the food they eat to the natural systems that support their communities. Alexandria’s enhanced greenhouse will allow students to experiment with plant growth, observe seasonal changes, and understand the science and labor behind America’s food supply.

MAELC: A Longstanding Investment in Agricultural Literacy

While this initiative is local, the organization behind it reflects a broader, nationwide effort to strengthen agricultural education.

For more than 25 years, MAELC has been a major supporter of Agricultural, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) education across Minnesota. Since its creation, the Council has awarded over $31 million statewide—funding that has empowered schools to build courses, upgrade facilities, develop new curricula, and create opportunities that many districts could not provide on their own.

In communities large and small, these investments have helped ensure that agricultural education remains accessible, relevant, and connected to modern industry needs. Many regions throughout the U.S. rely on similar state-level or nonprofit partnerships to keep ag education thriving; MAELC stands out as one of the longest-standing and most comprehensive.

Who Is MAELC?

Established in 1997 by the Minnesota Legislature, the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council is comprised of sixteen members, including educators, legislators, government officials, and representatives from agribusiness and community organizations.

Its mission is straightforward: to provide leadership that promotes and expands agricultural education in Minnesota.

The Council operates under guiding principles that resonate far beyond state borders:

A society is stronger when people understand the role and importance of agriculture.
Agricultural education must serve both young people and adults.

MAELC’s core purposes include fostering new ideas and curricula, encouraging more people to enter or stay in agricultural education, providing a statewide venue for strategic conversations, and serving as an information hub for questions about agricultural learning. Funding for MAELC programs is provided by the State of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Why This Matters Nationally

Across the country, schools are working to connect students to fields—literally and figuratively—that sustain the nation. Agricultural programs provide essential pathways into careers in science, technology, business, sustainability, and environmental management. They also equip students with lifelong knowledge about food, resources, and stewardship.

Alexandria’s “Greenhouse Grow Lights” initiative fits squarely into that national picture. Upgrading the greenhouse ensures that students have continuous access to hands-on learning, regardless of climate or daylight. The project reinforces a growing national priority: preparing young people to understand and lead within an increasingly complex agricultural landscape.